Here’s how I started:
Cheap assorted set of chisels and gouges
After a couple of projects I realized how much of a difference high-quality tools made and ended up buying this set. I also like the palm tools for working on smaller pieces
I’d recommend starting with an easy wood to practice like basswood. Once you get the hang of it, move on to the wood you want to use for your set. Oftentimes I’ll carve things twice, practicing first with basswood then repeating with the final wood of choice.
Hope this helps!
Buy a whittling knife I bought mine for a project but I ended up finding it so relaxing. I buy some cheap soft woods from Amazon and just make little crafts like tiny eggs and little figures.